• Online Scheduling | Careers

Crestwood Medical Center
  • Quick Links
    • Find a Doctor
    • Services
      • Services

        • View All Services
        • Acute Care for Elderly (ACE)
        • ALS Clinic
        • Bariatric Weight Loss Services
        • Cancer Care
        • Diabetes Care
        • Diagnostic Imaging
        • Digestive Health
        • Emergency Services
        • Heart Care
        • Inpatient Rehabilitation
        • Joint Replacement
        • Laboratory Services
        • Maternity Care
        • Nutrition Services
        • Orthopedic Services
        • Pain Management
        • Pediatric Care
        • Plastic Surgery
        • Pulmonology Care
        • Robotic Surgery
        • Sleep Medicine
        • Stroke Care
        • Surgical Services
        • Urology Services
        • Vein Care Center
        • Women's Health
        • Wound Care
          • Patients & Visitors
            • For Patients

              • Patients & Visitors
              • Admissions
              • Award Nominations
              • Campus Map
              • Events
              • Financial Information
              • Gift Shop
              • Going Home
              • Health Library
              • Online Scheduling
              • Patient Portal
              • Request Medical Records
              • Spiritual Care
              • Your Stay
                • Careers
                • Locations
                  • Hospitals
                  • Imaging Centers
                  • Laboratories
                  • Sleep Care Centers
                  • Vein Care Centers
                  • Wound Care Centers
                  • Affiliated Medical Practices
                  • Crestwood Medical Group
                • About
                  • About

                    • About Us
                    • Awards & Accreditations
                    • Careers
                    • Community Benefits
                    • Contact Us
                    • Hospital Tours
                    • Newsroom
                    • Phone Directory
                    • Quality & Safety
                    • Referring Physician Resources
                    • Speaker Requests
                    • Volunteer Opportunities
                      • (256) 429-4000
                      • Online Scheduling
                      • Online Bill Pay
                      • Patient Portal
                      • Events
                      • Contact
                      • analog clock icon
                      • Avg ER Wait:
                        1Min

                        About ER Wait Times
                      Home/Patients & Visitors/Health Library/Key to Mucus Modification

                      Refine Results

                      About Us
                      eNewsletter Redirect
                      Events
                      Events
                      Find a Doctor
                      Locations
                      Notice of Non-Discrimination
                      Patients & Visitors
                      Admissions
                      Award Nominations
                      Campus Map
                      Events
                      Financial Information
                      Billing & Insurance
                      Billing & Registration FAQ
                      Eligibility Services
                      Financial Assistance Program
                      Medicare
                      Notice of Privacy Practices
                      Online Bill Pay
                      Patient Protections Against Surprise Billing
                      Patient Rights & Responsibilities
                      Price Information
                      Your Right to a Good Faith Estimate
                      Gift Shop
                      Going Home
                      Health Library
                      Online Scheduling
                      Online Check-In FAQ
                      Patient Portal
                      Patient Portal FAQ
                      Request Medical Records
                      Spiritual Care
                      Your Stay
                      Services
                      • information
                      • news
                      • Directions

                        Find Our Location
                      • Crestwood Medical Center Welcomes New Class of Resident Physicians, Reaches Milestone in Graduate Medical Education

                        06.26.2025

                      • $25,000 Grant from ALS Association Supports HudsonAlpha Research Study in Collaboration with the ALS Care Clinic at Crestwood Medical Center

                        06.17.2025

                      • See All News & Press Releases
                      • Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter

                        Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter

                        Featuring a monthly dose of information and inspiration for living well.

                        Learn More
                      • Mobile Device

                        Online Scheduling

                        Free, convenient online check-in services.

                        Learn More
                      • Nurse and Patient

                        Patient Portal

                        Access your medical information
                        on demand.

                        Learn More

                      Key to Mucus Modification

                      During an asthma attack, too much mucus in the airways makes breathing difficult. Recent research may point the way toward preventing the overproduction of mucus.

                      A Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis study recently examined the connection between the CLCA1 and TMEM16A and airway-based disease. While knowledge of these isn't new, what is novel is understanding how these proteins interact with the body. This information could uncover new ways to treat airway diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

                      An overabundance of CLCA1 proteins correlates with mucus production, but the researchers didn't know precisely how. They also knew that excess TMEM16A, a cellular channel, played a role in mucus's overdevelopment, but its mechanism was unclear. The team found that increasing the number of CLCA1 proteins in airway cells caused an uptick in TMEM16A proteins in neighboring cells. Researchers postulated that CLCA1 lengthens the stay of the cellular portals on the surface of the cells, allowing charged particles that contribute to mucus formation.

                      What do the researchers' findings mean for individuals with airway conditions? As scientists continue experimenting with manipulating the numbers of CLCA1 and TMEM16A in airway cells and the effects on the movement of particles in and out of the cells, they may uncover the key to controlling mucus production.

                      Eventually, physicians may be able to "turn off" asthma patients' mucus-making mechanisms. Even cancer and heart disease patients could benefit from a better understanding of CLCA and TMEM16 molecules' interactions—the proteins may contribute to these diseases.

                      Until we know more, these tips can help keep an asthma flare-up from ruining your day:

                      • Beware of seasonal triggers. Certain cherished summer activities, including swimming and camping, can put individuals with asthma at risk for attacks. The smell of chlorine, for example, can trigger an asthma incident; be sure the pool isn't too pungent before diving in. Don't sit in the path of smoke from an outdoor fire or candle, which can also set asthma off.
                      • Check the climate. Are you headed to a humid locale? Check the weather ahead of time and plan your trip activities around muggy periods, as such conditions can aggravate asthma.
                      • Make a list—and check it twice. You don't want to be caught on the road or on a plane without asthma treatment. Before you zip your bag, check for necessary items, such as medications and a peak flow meter.
                      • Stick to the plan. Even though your daily routine may be different, summer is no time to deviate from the main components of your asthma action plan: knowing and avoiding your triggers and taking your medications as prescribed. Falling out of your medication regimen now could lead to asthma attacks in the months ahead.

                      Want More Health Tips?

                      Sign up for our e-newsletter, Live Healthy, to receive a monthly dose of information and inspiration for living well.

                      Back

                      Crestwood Medical Center

                      • One Hospital Drive
                      • Huntsville, AL 35801
                      • P: (256) 429-4000
                      • F: (256) 429-4615

                      • ADA Accessibility Policy
                      • Terms & Conditions
                      • Privacy Policy
                      • Change Your Privacy Choices
                      • Notice of Privacy Practices
                      • Patient Rights & Responsibilities
                      • Price Transparency

                      Copyright ©2025. All rights reserved.

                      An AllianceHealth Oklahoma® hospital

                      Services

                      • Acute Care for Elderly (ACE)
                      • ALS Clinic
                      • Bariatric Weight Loss Services
                      • Cancer Care
                      • Diabetes Care
                      • Diagnostic Imaging
                      • Digestive Health
                      • Emergency Services
                      • Heart Care
                      • Inpatient Rehabilitation
                      • Joint Replacement
                      • Laboratory Services
                      • Maternity Care
                      • Nutrition Services
                      • Orthopedic Services
                      • Pain Management
                      • Pediatric Care
                      • Plastic Surgery
                      • Pulmonology Care
                      • Robotic Surgery
                      • Sleep Medicine
                      • Stroke Care
                      • Surgical Services
                      • Urology Services
                      • Vein Care Center
                      • Women's Health
                      • Wound Care

                      Patients & Visitors

                      • Admissions
                      • Award Nominations
                      • Campus Map
                      • Events
                      • Financial Information
                      • Gift Shop
                      • Going Home
                      • Health Library
                      • Online Scheduling
                      • Patient Portal
                      • Request Medical Records
                      • Spiritual Care
                      • Your Stay

                      About Us

                      • Awards & Accreditations
                      • Careers
                      • Community Benefits
                      • Contact Us
                      • Hospital Tours
                      • Newsroom
                      • Phone Directory
                      • Quality & Safety
                      • Referring Physician Resources
                      • Speaker Requests
                      • Volunteer Opportunities

                      Notice of Nondiscrimination
                      • English,
                      • አማርኛ,
                      • العربية,
                      • বাংলা,
                      • ျမန္မာဘာသာ,
                      • tsalagi gawonihisdi,
                      • 繁體中文,
                      • Chahta,
                      • Oroomiffa,
                      • Nederlands,
                      • Français,
                      • Kreyòl Ayisyen,
                      • Deutsch,
                      • ગુજરાતી,
                      • हिंदी,
                      • Hmoob,
                      • Igbo asusu,
                      • Ilokano,
                      • Italiano,
                      • 日本語,
                      • 한국어,
                      • Ɓàsɔ́ɔ̀‑wùɖù‑po‑nyɔ̀,
                      • ພາສາລາວ,
                      • Kajin Ṃajōḷ,
                      • ខ្មែរ,
                      • Diné Bizaad,
                      • नेपाली,
                      • Deitsch,
                      • فارسی,
                      • Polski,
                      • Português,
                      • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
                      • Română,
                      • Русский,
                      • Gagana fa'a Sāmoa,
                      • Srpsko‑hrvatski,
                      • Español,
                      • ܣܘܼܪܸܬ݂,
                      • Tagalog,
                      • ภาษาไทย,
                      • Türkçe,
                      • Українська,
                      • اُردُو,
                      • Tiếng Việt,
                      • èdè Yorùbá,
                      • עִברִית
                      Loading... Loading...